CriminaIJustice

CriminaIJustice

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1. Discuss the competing issues in determining the fOllOW-up period in prevention evaluations. What is the rule on appropriate fOllOW-up times?
2. Discuss Why process evaluations are so prevalent despite the fact that they do nOt provide information on the success Of the project goals. HOW
might all 3 types Of evaluations provide a more comprehensive understanding?
3. Make a comment Of the statement: There is nOt a precise rule on What the appropriate fOllOW-up time should be in prevention evaluations.
Instead. many recommend that an appropriate fOllOW-up time should be completed in intervals. “such as three months. six months. 12 months. and
18 months” (Lab. 2016. p. 44). This extended fOllOW-up time would serve as more useful When attempting tO identify hOW effective a crime preventi-
method is. The competing issues When determining the fOllOW-up period in prevention methods is deciding hOW long it should take before results
begin appearing after a program has been implemented. A question to consider is “is there is a possibility that over time any initial changes will
diminish or disappear” (Lab. 2016. 44)? Therefore. it is best tO initiate fOllOW-up periods throughout an extended time tO best measure a method an
avoid any issues that may arise from completing a fOllOW- up tOO early or tOO late. Process evaluations are so prevalent despite the fact that they d
nOt provide information on the success Of the project goals because they “offer a detailed descriptive account Of the program and its
implementation” (Lab. 2016. p. 39). “Process evaluations also consider a Wide range Of variables and tOpics starting With the initial goals Of the
initiative and continuing all the way through the current operations of the program” (Lab. 2016. p. 39). All three types of evaluations
(impact/outcome evaluation. process evaluation. and cost-benefit evaluations) can provide a more comprehensive understanding by assisting us
Observe What. if any. changes occur once a program has been implemented. examine a program’s process and its procedures. and approximate if
the cost spent on a program is justified by its benefits tO the community. These three evaluations help us form a clear and more precise picture Of
hOW effective a project is. as compared tO simply using one evaluation method for a program. If all three evaluations are used and determine that
the program is ineffective. then we can be confident in our findings and proceed tO attempt anOther program method.
4. Make a comment Of this statement: An issue in determining the fOllOW up period in prevention evaluations is questioning hOW long after the
implementation Of the program or intervention Will changes in crime appear. Another issue is the possibility that over time any initial changes Will
diminish or disappear. There is nO rule for the appropriate fOllOW-u time. but the ideal fOllOW-up time would be conducted at different intervals such
as at the three. six. 12 and 18 month periods. Using multiple fOllOW-up times Will help With the speed Of impact and any evidence that that could
potentially diminish over time. The evaluation should lOOK tO the underlying theOry for guidance. Process evaluations are so prevalent despite nOt
providing information on the success Of the prOject goals because they Offer a detailed descriptive account Of the program and its implementation
gOing as far as tO include the initial goals and fOllOWing through tO the current Operation Of the project. All three types Of evaluations. tO include the
impact/outcome evaluation. process evaluation. and cost-benefit evaluations. provide a more comprehensive understanding on the success Of
prOject goals. Only looking at one type Of evaluation would give a limited spectrum as tO Why a prOject was successful or unsucceSSful. However.
looking at a second would give more reasoning tO justify the findings. Going further. using all three Of the evaluations would paint the big picture as
to why a project worked or failed to.